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HMPV virus cases LIVE: It's not a new virus, says health minister JP Nadda, experts say don't panic

2025-01-06T05:34:00.000-08:00

HMPV Virus Cases LIVE: While India has confirmed three cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) - two in Karnataka and one in Gujarat - health officials have been emphasisng that there is no need to panic as the it is not a new pathogen, adding that regular flu shots or even the three Covid vaccine doses makes one immune to this infection.

HMPV virus cases | Key points
India on Monday confirmed its first three cases of HMPV - two in Karnataka and one in Gujarat. All the cases have been detected in children. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said that the two cases in Karnataka were detected during routine surveillance for multiple respiratory viral pathogens.
A three-month-old female infant, who had been hospitalised with bronchopneumonia at Baptist Hospital of Bengaluru, was diagnosed with HMPV and has since been discharged. Additionally, an eight-month-old male infant, also admitted to Baptist Hospital with bronchopneumonia, tested positive for HMPV on January 3 and is currently recovering.
Notably, neither of the infants had a history of international travel, the ministry said in its statement.
In Gujarat, a child belonging to Rajasthan's Dungarpur was admitted to the private hospital in Chandkheda locality of Ahmedabad on December 24 with symptoms of respiratory infection, a PTI report mentioned. After tests, the infant was found positive for the HMPV, the news agency quoted Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation's in-charge medical officer of health Bhavin Solanki as saying.
Health experts across hospitals and health bodies have been emphasising that there is no need to panic over HMPV as it is not a new pathogen and results in regular flu-like symptoms. While there is no vaccine for it, experts say that regular flu shot and even the three doses of Covid vaccine makes one immune from HMPV.
The ministry said that HMPV is already in circulation globally, including in India, and cases of respiratory illnesses associated with it have been reported in various countries.

Source: Hindustan Times

Manmohan Singh, Indian ex-PM and architect of economic reform, dies at 92

2024-12-26T10:07:00.000-08:00

Getty Images

Manmohan Singh is credited as the architect of key liberalising reforms in India

Former Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh has died at the age of 92.

Singh was one of India's longest-serving prime ministers and he was considered the architect of key liberalising economic reforms, as premier from 2004-2014 and before that as finance minister.

He had been admitted to a hospital in the capital Delhi after his health condition deteriorated, reports say.

Among those who paid tribute to Singh on Thursday were Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who wrote on social media that "India mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished leaders".

Modi said that Singh's "wisdom and humility were always visible" during their interactions and that he had "made extensive efforts to improve people's lives" during his time as prime minister.

Priyanka Gandhi, the daughter of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi and a Congress party member, said that Singh was "genuinely egalitarian, wise, strong-willed and courageous until the end".

Her brother Rahul, who leads Congress, said he had "lost a mentor and guide".

Singh was the first Indian leader since Jawaharlal Nehru to be re-elected after serving a full first term, and the first Sikh to hold the country's top post. He made a public apology in parliament for the 1984 riots in which some 3,000 Sikhs were killed.

But his second term in office was marred by a string of corruption allegations that dogged his administration. The scandals, many say, were partially responsible for his Congress party's crushing defeat in the 2014 general election.

Singh was born on 26 September 1932, in a desolate village in the Punjab province of undivided India, which lacked both water and electricity.

After attending Panjab University he took a master's degree at the University of Cambridge and then a DPhil at Oxford.

While studying at Cambridge, the lack of funds bothered Singh, his daughter, Daman Singh, wrote in a book on her parents.

Getty Images

Singh was often called the "accidental prime minister"

"His tuition and living expenses came to about £600 a year. The Panjab University scholarship gave him about £160. For the rest he had to depend on his father. Manmohan was careful to live very stingily. Subsidised meals in the dining hall were relatively cheap at two shillings sixpence."

Daman Singh remembered her father as "completely helpless about the house and could neither boil an egg, nor switch on the television".

Consensus builder

Singh rose to political prominence as India's finance minister in 1991, taking over as the country was plunging into bankruptcy.

His unexpected appointment capped a long and illustrious career as an academic and civil servant - he served as an economic adviser to the government, and became the governor of India's central bank.

In his maiden speech as finance minister he famously quoted Victor Hugo, saying that "no power on Earth can stop an idea whose time has come".

That served as a launchpad for an ambitious and unprecedented economic reform programme: he cut taxes, devalued the rupee, privatised state-run companies and encouraged foreign investment.

The economy revived, industry picked up, inflation was checked and growth rates remained consistently high in the 1990s.

Getty Images

Singh was born in Gah, an underdeveloped village in what is now Pakistan

'Accidental PM'

Manmohan Singh was a man acutely aware of his lack of a political base. "It is nice to be a statesman, but in order to be a statesman in a democracy you first have to win elections," he once said.

When he tried to win election to India's lower house in 1999, he was defeated. He sat instead in the upper house, chosen by his own Congress party.

The same happened in 2004, when Singh was first appointed prime minister after Congress president Sonia Gandhi turned down the post - apparently to protect the party from damaging attacks over her Italian origins. Critics however alleged that Sonia Gandhi was the real source of power while he was prime minister, and that he was never truly in charge.

AFP

Critics said Mr Singh always played second fiddle to Sonia Gandhi

The biggest triumph during his first five-year term was to bring India out of nuclear isolation by signing a landmark deal securing access to American nuclear technology.

But the deal came at a price - the government's Communist allies withdrew support after protesting against it, and Congress had to make up lost numbers by enlisting the support of another party amid charges of vote-buying.

A consensus builder, Singh presided over a coalition of sometimes difficult, assertive and potentially unruly regional coalition allies and supporters.

Although he earned respect for his integrity and intelligence, he also had a reputation for being soft and indecisive. Some critics claimed that the pace of reform slowed and he failed to achieve the same momentum he had while finance minister.

AFP

The biggest triumph during Mr Singh's first five-year term was to bring India out of nuclear isolation by signing a landmark deal with the US

When Singh guided Congress to a second, decisive election victory in 2009, he vowed that the party would "rise to the occasion".

But the gloss soon began to wear off and his second term was in the news mostly for all the wrong reasons: several scandals involving his cabinet ministers which allegedly cost the country billions of dollars, a parliament stalled by the opposition, and a huge policy paralysis that resulted in a serious economic downturn.

LK Advani, a senior leader in the rival BJP party, called Singh India's "weakest prime minister".

Manmohan Singh defended his record, saying his government had worked with "utmost commitment and dedication for the country and the welfare of its people".

Pragmatic foreign policy

Singh adopted the pragmatic foreign policies pursued by his two predecessors.

He continued the peace process with Pakistan - though this process was hampered by attacks blamed on Pakistani militants, culminating in the Mumbai gun and bomb attack of November 2008.

He tried to end the border dispute with China, brokering a deal to reopen the Nathu La pass into Tibet which had been closed for more than 40 years.

Getty Images

Singh with his daughter Upinder Singh (R) and his wife Gursharan Kaur (L)

Singh increased financial support for Afghanistan and became the first Indian leader to visit the country for nearly 30 years.

He also angered many opposition politicians by appearing to end relations with India's old ally, Iran.

A low-profile leader

A studious former academic and bureaucrat, he was known for being self-effacing and always kept a low profile. His social media account was noted mostly for dull entries and had a limited number of followers.

A man of few words, his calm demeanour nevertheless won him many admirers.

Responding to questions on a coal scandal involving the illegal allocation of licences worth billions of dollars, he defended his silence on the issue by saying it was "better than thousands of answers".

AFP

Singh's opponents accused him of involvement in a coal scandal in 2012

In 2015 he was summoned to appear in court to answer allegations of criminal conspiracy, breach of trust and corruption related offences. An upset Singh told reporters that he was "open for legal scrutiny" and that the "truth will prevail".

After his time as premier, Singh remained deeply engaged with the issues of the day as a senior leader of the main opposition Congress party despite his advancing age.

In August 2020, he told the BBC in a rare interview that India needed to take three steps "immediately" to stem the economic damage of the coronavirus pandemic, which had sent the country's economy into a recession.

The government needed to provide direct cash assistance to people, make capital available for businesses, and fix the financial sector, he said.

History will remember Singh for bringing India out of economic and nuclear isolation, although some historians may suggest he should have retired earlier.

"I honestly believe that history will be kinder to me than the contemporary media, or for that matter, the opposition parties in parliament," he told an interviewer in 2014.

Singh is survived by his wife and three daughters.

Source: BBC

Can’t execute, control lost': Azerbaijan airline pilot's last words before crash amid claims of Russian missile's role

2024-12-26T09:59:00.000-08:00

Azerbaijani airliner plane crash: A prominent Telegram channel claimed that the aircraft was mistakenly targeted by a Pantsir-S1 surface-to-air missile.

Azerbaijani airliner plane crash: Evidence is mounting to suggest that the fateful Azerbaijani airliner plane crash in Kazakhstan, which killed 38 people, may have been caused by a missile fired by Russian air defences, a prominent Telegram channel closely linked to Russian security services claimed.

Azerbaijani airliner plane crash: A rescuer searched the wreckage of Azerbaijan Airlines' Embraer 190 lying on the ground near the airport of Aktau, Kazakhstan.(AP)

According to an Irishstar report, the channel -- VChK-OGPU -- suggested that the passenger plane was mistakenly targeted by a Pantsir-S1 surface-to-air missile after being misidentified as a Ukrainian drone. However, this is not yet confirmed.

Hyderabad police asks Allu Arjun to appear! For more details & latest news, read on here

"In reality, the damage indicates that, most likely, a missile fired by air defence systems exploded near the plane. According to the materials we have obtained, that very strike occurred approximately 18 kilometres [11 miles] north, northwest of the airport in Grozny, over the Naursky district at an altitude of 2,400 metres [7,875ft]," Irishstar quoted the outlet as saying.

HT cannot independently verify this information.

The channel also noted that the damage visible on the plane’s fuselage aligns with that of a missile shrapnel, rather than a bird strike or drone collision, disputing reports from Russian media claiming that a Ukrainian drone had caused the crash.

Bodycam footage shows distressing aftermath of Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash in Kazakhstan

The leak of partial alleged communication between the pilots and air traffic control indicates that loss of control which the crew earlier thought was due to a bird strike, was not the case after all.

Here's the conversation between the pilot and air traffic control:

At 8:12 a.m., as the plane struggled with GPS failure, the pilots requested help with "vectoring" to return to the departure airport in Baku, presumably following the sudden closure of Grozny airport.

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At 8:16, a pilot reported a "bird strike" in the cockpit, to which ground control responded, "AXY8243 I understand you, what kind of help do you need? "

According to the Mirror report, initially, the captain sought to return to his origin point, Baku. But at 8:17, the pilot changed course for Mineralnye Vody airport in southern Russia.

READ | Did Russia shoot down Azerbaijan Airlines plane in Kazakhstan? Internet flooded with conspiracy theories

When prompted by ground control to "perform left orbit", the chilling reply was "I can't execute, control is lost."

However, by 8:21, the crew reported a total loss of control, and the plane ultimately vanished from radar for 37 minutes before reappearing near Aktau, Kazakhstan, where it crashed.

Azerbaijani airliner plane crash

An Azerbaijani airliner crashed in Kazakhstan after being diverted, killing 38 of 67 people on board on Wednesday.

The plane was en route from the Azerbaijani capital Baku to the Russian city of Grozny in the North Caucasus on Wednesday when it was diverted for reasons that aren't fully clear yet.

It crashed while attempting to land in Aktau, Kazakhstan, after flying east across the Caspian Sea.

Source: Hindustan Times

Trump vows to end Russia-Ukraine war & bring peace to West Asia

2024-11-15T08:09:00.000-08:00

I would just simply say that it needs to be done in a way that Russia faces some consequences for its actions,” Curtis told PTI in an interview.

Donald Trump (Photo: AFP)

Washington: US President-elect Donald Trump has said his administration will focus on ending the Russia-Ukraine war, as he lamented the killing of people in the conflict.

He also said his administration will also work on bringing peace to West Asia.

“We’re going to work on the Middle East, and we’re going to work very hard on Russia and Ukraine. It’s got to stop,” Trump said during a gala for the America First Policy Institute held at his Mar-a-Lago estate on Thursday.

This was his first major speech and public appearance after his stunning electoral victory in the November 5 presidential elections.

“Russia and Ukraine’s got to stop. I saw a report today. Thousands of people over the last three days were killed. Thousands and thousands of people were killed. They happened to be soldiers, but whether they’re soldiers or they’re people sitting in towns, we’re going to work it,” he said.

The President-elect has consistently said his priority is to end the war and stem what he characterises as a drain on US resources, in the form of military aid to Ukraine.

Meanwhile, Lisa Curtis, who served as deputy assistant to Trump in his previous term and National Security Council senior director for South and Central Asia from 2017 to 2021, said the war in Ukraine needs to end in a way that does not encourage other nations to invade their neighbours illegally.

“President (elect) Trump has in the past talked more favourably about (Russian) President (Vladimir) Putin than most US presidents. He has also talked about trying to end the war between Russia and Ukraine. We haven’t seen yet how he’s going to do that,” Curtis said.

“I would just simply say that it needs to be done in a way that Russia faces some consequences for its actions,” Curtis told PTI in an interview.

It needs to be done in a way that Russia doesn’t try to do the same thing two or three years down the line, she said.

“It needs to be done in a way that doesn’t encourage other US adversaries to try to illegally invade their neighbour’s territory,” said Curtis, who is currently a Senior Fellow and Director of the Indo-Pacific Security Programme at Center for a New American Security think-tank.

Some of Trump’s top advisors were present at the Mar-a-Lago event. He praised Tesla owner Elon Musk and Indian-American entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, who are tapped to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in his second term.

Trump also praised Hindu-American Tulsi Gabbard, his pick for Director of National Intelligence.

Source: the siasat daily

OPPO Find X8 Series with ColorOS 15 to Launch Globally Setting a New Standard for Flagship Smartphones

2024-11-12T10:37:00.000-08:00

New Delhi, Delhi, India (NewsVoir)

OPPO India will launch the Find X8 Series and ColorOS 15 at a global event on November 21, 2024, in Bali, Indonesia. Both devices-the all-new Find X8 and Find X8 Pro-redefine excellence in flagship smartphones.

“Until now, flagship camera phones with ultra-zoom, power, battery life, and AI tools have been weighed down by thick, heavy designs, but Find X8 Series changes the game,” said Pete Lau, SVP and Chief Product Officer at OPPO. “The Find X8 is a thin and light powerhouse with a sterling battery life and a periscope zoom. The Find X8 Pro takes zoom further, delivering ultra-grade experiences without the bulk. And with ColorOS 15’s smart and smooth experience, the Find X8 Series is set to mark an exciting shift for the smartphone industry.”

The OPPO Find X8 fits an incredibly slim periscope zoom camera into a sleek, light design that is 7.85mm slim and weighs a mere 193g. The immersive yet compact handset sports a 6.59-inch display with an ultra-narrow 1.45mm symmetrical bezel and a fingerprint-resistant diffuse finish in Star Grey, and Space Black.

Fans of bigger screens would be impressed by the Find X8 Pro with its ultra-immersive 6.78-inch display that showcases quad-curved glass on both sides. The handset debuts OPPO’s dual-periscope telephoto camera for global markets. The Find X8 Pro is available in Space Black and Pearl White, with each Pearl White device featuring a unique pearlescent pattern so no two devices look the same.

Both Find X8 and Find X8 Pro-featuring OPPO’s latest Hasselblad Master Camera System-carry forward the Find X line’s tradition of introducing breakthrough camera innovation. Now, with AI Telescope Zoom, the Find X8 Series can reach further than ever, activating at 10x and beyond. Each device can also freeze time in an instant with Lightning Snap, which captures up to seven photos every second without compromising on flagship-grade photo processing.

The OPPO’s Find X8 is powered by a huge 5630mAh silicon-carbon battery while the Find X8 Pro packs a 5910mAh whopper; both devices boast a MediaTek Dimensity 9400 SoC for smooth performance that extends over a day.

It takes world-class software to elevate ultra-grade hardware, and ColorOS 15 perfectly complements the Find X8 Series. Its seamless visuals, intuitive elements, and powerful, time-saving AI tools put everything you need at your fingertips.

Stay tuned to learn more about OPPO Find X8 Series and ColorOS 15 at the upcoming global launch.

(Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with Newsvoir and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR
PWR

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)

Source: Theweek

India to achieve $100-billion trade with Russia well before 2030 target: Jaishankar

2024-11-12T10:31:00.000-08:00

Russia’s first deputy Denis Manturov said two-way trade between India and Russia has grown more than five-fold in the past five years.

India is confident of achieving commerce worth $100 billion with Russia before the target date of 2030 though the two sides need to address constraints to ensure trade is more balanced, external affairs minister S Jaishankar said on Tuesday.

External affairs minister S Jaishankar and Russia’s first deputy prime minister Denis Manturov greet each other at the 25th meeting of the India-Russia Intergovernmental Commission in New Delhi on Tuesday. (DrSJaishankar- X)

The two sides have seen “perceptible progress” in tackling challenges to trade, especially issues related to payments and logistics, but there is “still some work to be done”, Jaishankar said while co-chairing a meeting of the main body that oversees bilateral trade and technical cooperation with Russia’s first deputy prime minister Denis Manturov.

Jaishankar’s remarks built on his comments at the India-Russia Business Forum in Mumbai on Monday about the need to address the imbalance in bilateral trade. India has run up a trade deficit of almost $57 billion with Russia, largely due to massive purchases of Russian crude since 2022. In July, the two sides set a target of ramping up trade to $100 billion by 2030.

Also Read | India stresses need to address trade imbalance with Russia

India is confident about achieving this trade target well before 2030, Jaishankar said in his opening remarks at the meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technical and Cultural Cooperation (IGC-TEC) as the two economies are complementary and benefit from “trust and confidence built over many years”.

While growth in bilateral trade, currently estimated at $66 billion, is impressive, the two sides have some way to go in tackling challenges, Jaishankar said.

“Our goal is that [trade] needs to be more balanced and that will require addressing current constraints and undertaking greater facilitative efforts. Making it easier to do trade should be accompanied by progress in negotiations on the India-Eurasian Economic Union FTA,” he said.

Also Read | What did Trump, Putin discuss in their first call since US election

“There have been challenges to trade, especially in regard to payments and logistics. Perceptible progress has been made in that regard but there is still some work to be done,” he said, in an apparent reference to problems created by Western sanctions on Russia.

Manturov noted trade was up by 9% during the first eight months of 2024 but agreed with Jaishankar on the need to diversify the trade basket. He said two-way trade has grown more than five-fold in the past five years and India is now Russia’s second largest trade partner. In addition to procuring agricultural products from India, Russia is also importing industrial equipment, components, and pharmaceutical drugs, he said.

Further expansion of the trade basket and reducing the trade imbalance will be part of the programme for economic cooperation till 2030, and Russia is strongly committed to the signing of an FTA between India and the Eurasian Economic Union, as well as a bilateral agreement on services and investments, Manturov said.

The settlement of trade in local and alternative currencies is now approaching 90%, and it’s necessary to continue expanding relations between Indian and Russian banks, he said. Manturov also called for expanding direct flights between two sides as only Russia’s Aeroflot now operates 12 flights a week from Moscow and Ekaterinburg to New Delhi and Goa.

The external affairs ministry said in a statement that Jaishankar and Manturov directed 14 working groups and six sub-groups under the IGC-TEC to speedily finalise the programme for economic cooperation till 2030 and to take steps to enhance market access to achieve the trade target of $100 billion.

Among the issues discussed at the meeting were cooperation in trade, investments, hydrocarbons, nuclear energy, connectivity, agriculture, science and technology, IT, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, fertilisers and education.

Source: Hindustan Times

Data analytics trends that drive your business growth

2024-11-12T04:48:00.000-08:00

We all have heard so many things about how data is impacting our decisions. It has now become a must-have capability for enterprises of all sizes. The true value of data is realized when you get actionable insights from raw data collected from diverse sources. We need to transform the data into insights by leveraging advanced data analytics solutions.

Data Analytics Solutions Help You Extract the Insights to Make Informed Decisions

With data analytics solutions, enterprises extract the insights from the data to make faster decisions leading to enhance their customers’ experiences and optimize business operations. The reason why this age is also called data age is because of the data growth. It is growing exponentially, causing challenges for enterprises to manage, store and extract insights out of it, let’s understand how we can transform these challenges into opportunities for enterprises.

Data analytics process is all about collecting, storing, managing and processing the data to get meaningful insights and make decisions based on those insights. It enables them to explore the market trends, extract hidden insights, customer preferences and identify more business opportunities.

The rapid growth of data plays a critical role in shaping business strategies across industries.

Here are some emerging data analytics trends shaping industries

AI-Powered Analytics

AI is improving the way enterprises analyze data. Businesses using AI-driven analytics have experienced 15-20%improvements in their operational efficiency – McKinsey. Moreover, these advanced AI solutions are expected to save $1 trillion annually by 2025 by helping industries make better and faster decisions.

Real-Time Data Processing

Everything is changing rapidly, and so should we to match the change. Enterprises struggle a lot to comprehend the preferences and trends of the market. Here comes the real-time data solutions. Making faster decisions requires quickly processing data into insights. Many industries are heavily investing in real-time data analytics solutions to collect, process, and extract meaningful insights instantly related to their target customers and business processes.

Over 50% of organizations will start using real-time analytics solutions to improve their decision making by 2025 – Gartner. Real-time analytics is no more a should have capability but a non-negotiable capability for enterprises to stay competitive.

Data Democratization

Previously, data analytics solutions was only the IT professionals’ area of expertise. They were managing the data analytics processes. But data democratization is making analytics and insights available to non-technical users as well throughout the enterprise. There are different kinds of self-service data analytics platforms enabling team members to access and explore data independently without having data analytics skills.

70% of new business apps will feature embedded analytics by 2025- IDC.

Augmented Analytics

Augmented analytics use ML, AI and NLP kind of innovative technologies to enhance the analysis process leading to faster insights. These innovative tools help enterprises to automate various data analytics operations reducing errors and time.

Let’s streamline and automate data operations with the help of augmented analytics.

Data Privacy and Compliance

We all are aware of the data explosion. There is no shortage of data in the market; instead, it is growing exponentially. Here comes the need for robust data analytics solutions to ensure proper data governance guidelines that follow CCPA and GDPR guidelines. Organizations should follow various data security and compliance frameworks, such as CCPA and GDPR, to ensure data governance strategies. Non-compliance with these guidelines attracts huge penalties.

Do you know that the amount of data generated globally is believed to reach 175 zettabytes by 2025 - IDC.

This large amount of data is driving enterprises to invest in data analytics solutions heavily to extract meaningful insights and make informed business decisions.

Do you know that 80% of enterprise data is unstructured - G2. When you find discrepancies in your data, you should blame unstructured data. Advanced data analytics solutions combined with NLP and AI can help them automate various mundane processes of data analytics solutions.

91% of companies that have implemented data analytics solutions report improved business outcomes – Forrester

Data Analytics Solutions Use Cases across industries

Data is everywhere regardless of any industry. Let’s understand how data analytics solutions impact business operations in various industries. We have highlighted use cases of some major industries wherein data analytics solution is deployed.

Healthcare

The healthcare industry is utilizing data analytics to make some improvements in patient outcomes, reduce costs, and optimize treatment plans. Moreover, predictive analytics help healthcare professionals forecast their patients’ needs, leading to more personalized healthcare solutions.

Retail

Improving customer experiences, optimizing retail store operations and managing inventories are some areas where retail industry is leveraging data analytics solutions There are other areas where retailers can utilize data analytics solutions.

Financial Services

Detecting financial frauds, manage risks and ensure compliance are some major areas where financial experts are utilizing data analytics solutions. ML analyse large data sets to identify unusual patterns that trigger the fraudulent activity.

Manufacturing

Most manufacturers are leveraging data analytics solutions to optimize production processes and improve the quality of their products.

As enterprise generate more and more data, the capability of leveraging that data into making better decisions is very critical in this data world. Enterprises are heavily investing in data analytics solutions. There are several experts who can help you such as Saxon AI team. It is recommended to start your data journey with experts to avoid any pitfalls, setbacks and unnecessary costs.

Mukesh Khanna Brutally Trolled After He Announces His Return As Shaktimaan, Netizens Beg 'Don't Ruin It'

2024-11-12T04:43:00.000-08:00

Mukesh Khanna is returning as Shaktimaan.

Mukesh Khanna is getting trolled for returning as Shaktimaan at the age of 66. The Mahabharat actor slipped into the red Indian superhero outfit and ruled the 1990s. While there were rumours that a film based on the character is in the making, Mukesh announced that he is set to play Shaktimaan again. He made the announcement by donning the iconic suit and meeting the media. Although the actor appeared excited about making a comeback, fans of the superhero weren’t on the same page.

Speaking with ANI, Mukesh Khanna confirmed he is returning as Shaktimaan and made a comment about the present generation. “This is a costume within me…I think personally too, in my mind, this costume has come from within me…I did well in Shatimaan because it came from within me…Acting is all about confidence. I forget about the camera when I am shooting…I am even happier than the others about becoming Shaktimaan again," he said.

“I am carrying out my duty that I started in 1997 and which went on till 2005. I think that my work should reach the public in 2027 because today’s generation is running blindly. They have to be stopped and told to catch their breath…" Khanna added.

Watch the video below:

Fans took to the thread and Reddit to troll Mukesh. “Imagine after few bouts of fight, shaktiman being admitted to Max Hospital," a comment read. “Don’t ruin Shaktiman pls, don’t do it," added another. “Dude is stuck in the past. Someone should speak sense to him," a social media user wrote on X.

Azure Managed Services: Microsoft's Cloud for Modern Enterprises

2024-11-05T06:38:00.001-08:00

Cloud infrastructure is necessary for enterprises to scale with agility in this highly dynamic market. Microsoft's Azure Managed services enable you to explore the real potential of Azure Cloud without building a substantial in-house IT team. Let's discuss the latest stats and trends around Azure-managed Azure services and how they streamline cloud operations for enterprises.

Azure Managed Services

Azure Managed Services/Azure Consulting Services is a suite of services that provides comprehensive management of cloud infrastructure, databases, and apps. Businesses can leverage the Azure cloud solutions to their fullest with certified Azure Managed Service providers to optimize costs, implement security measures, and enhance performance.

Benefits of Azure Managed Services

Cost Efficiency: Azure Managed Services enable enterprises to prevent costs related to managing huge IT infrastructure with huge IT teams. It helps in reducing overhead costs associated with complex IT cloud operations and hiring skilled IT professionals.
Scalability: Azure provides flexibility to enterprises to scale up or down their resources based on the requirements of enterprises.

Enhanced Security and Compliance: Certified Azure Managed Service Providers help enterprises maintain various regulatory and compliance standards to ensure data security.
Performance Optimization: Enterprises continuously monitor and optimize their performance, ensuring effective and smooth cloud operations leading to improved performance.

Did you know? 91% of enterprises are leveraging public cloud solutions, with Azure cloud solution leading it as the most popular platform.

Latest Trends in Azure Managed Services

AI-Powered Automation for Operational Efficiency

AI-powered automation is one of the latest trends in Azure Managed Services, helping enterprises to improve operational efficiency. Automating monitoring processes and alert systems and solving minor issues helps reduce the burden on IT teams. For example, AI-powered monitoring tools help enterprises detect anomalies and address them so that end users get a better user experience.

Cost Optimization

As enterprises grow, their need for cost management grows. Experts provide cost optimization solutions to enterprises to ensure that no hefty cloud charges are incurred. According to Gartner, cloud cost optimization could save businesses 15-30% on their cloud spending in 2024, making it a priority for enterprises. Some organizations are also opting for a cloud exit strategy due to their inability to manage their increasing cloud expenses. Therefore, it is highly recommended to connect with the Azure Managed Services expert to keep your cloud cost under control.

Cloud Security and Compliance Automation

Enterprises are more concerned about their cloud security due to increasing cyber-attacks. Azure managed services provide advanced security solutions such as Microsoft Defender for Cloud and compliance audits to ensure the cloud environment's security. Moreover, it also helps them automate various compliance and audit processes.

Adoption of Serverless Computing and Containers

Businesses are increasingly moving towards highly optimized and modernized cloud infrastructure where serverless computing and containerization have emerged as the most popular methods of modernization. Azure Managed Services helps enterprises manage the transition effectively by handling most of the updates, configuration, and monitoring. Moreover, AKS and Azure functions have become integrated parts of several offerings that fall under Azure Managed Services.

Focus on Multi-Cloud and Hybrid Strategies

According to a recent survey, 87% of enterprises have a multi-cloud strategy. Azure Managed Services are compatible with multi-cloud or hybrid cloud settings. It enables enterprises to have the flexibility of Azure while collaborating with multi or hybrid cloud environments.

Managed Services for Data and Analytics on Azure

Enterprises are moving towards a more data-driven working model wherein every decision is made based on the data insights. It has emerged as one of the latest trends. Azure Managed Services are designed to support complete data analytics requirements. From Azure Synapse to implementing ML pipelines on Azure, Azure Managed Services help enterprises get more actionable insights. 79% of enterprises cite data analytics as a primary driver for cloud adoption (source: IDG, 2024).

Why should you connect with Azure Managed Service Providers (MSPs)

Continuous Innovation: By partnering with certified MSPs, enterprises get access to the latest updates on Azure and continuously evolve their offerings.

Proactive Issue Resolution: Azure Managed Services experts help enterprises implement proactive approaches such as predictive analysis and proactive monitoring to address any potential problems beforehand.

Resource Optimization: Certified MSPs are well-trained in optimizing available resources for enterprises and help them utilize limited resources and pay only for those resources. Resource utilization is very helpful in cost saving.

Tailored Plans: Azure MSPs provide customized support plans to enterprises based on their requirements, including simple to advanced DevOps development and infrastructure management support.

Conclusion

Azure Managed Services is an integral part of any organization planning to explore market opportunities and overcome their competitors. It helps them to keep their cloud cost under control, proactively manage their loads, secure their infrastructure, and streamline their operations effectively. When it comes to choosing the right MSP, ensure you connect with certified experts such as the Saxon AI team.

Amazon Great Indian Festival Sale 2024: Spruce up with trimmers, shavers and more at up to 60% off

2024-09-30T05:05:00.000-07:00

Make the Amazon Sale a reason to splurge on the best personal care appliances ahead of the festive season! Get up to 60% off on trimmers, epilators, and more.

With the ongoing Amazon Great Indian Festival Sale 2024, it is the perfect time to upgrade your self-care routine. During the Amazon Sale 2024, you can grab the best deals on top personal care appliances like trimmers for men, as well as shavers, epilators and more for women. Get these products at massive discounts and exclusive deals. You can choose from a wide variety of personal care appliances - from the best body groomers for men to epilators for women for smooth skin, all available at a discount of up to 60%.

Explore the Amazon Great Indian Festival Sale 2024 and get up to 60% off on the best personal care appliances.

With these deals at the Amazon Sale 2024, you can save big. So, add your favourite products to the cart and get top personal care appliances from popular brands like Philips, Braun and more at reduced prices. Apart from the 60% off during the Amazon Sale 2024, you can also get an additional 10% instant discount with SBI credit and debit card on all purchases. So, don't miss out on these amazing Amazon deals on personal care appliances.

Up to 60% off on the best epilators for women during the Amazon Diwali Sale 2024

Upgrade your self-care routine with the best epilators from the top-rated brands. The Amazon Great Indian Festival Sale 2024 gives you the perfect opportunity to choose the right epilator. This device may offer a long-lasting solution by removing hair from the root. Designed with user comfort in mind, the best epilators can minimise pain, and irritation and offer smooth and hair-free skin without the frequent upkeep of shaving. Most of the modern epilators also come with various attachments for sensitive areas which makes them a versatile option for full-body grooming. Using an epilator can also eliminate the need for salon visits. So, grab the best deals on the products and enjoy a satisfying experience!

Check out our top picks from the Amazon Sale:

Amazon Sale 2024 - Get exclusive deals on the best shavers for men

Shavers for Men offers an efficient solution for grooming needs. These personal care appliances can address common problems like irritation and time constraints. Whether you are looking for a close shave or a quick trim, the right shaver for men may transform your routine. If you struggle with skin sensitivity and nicks from traditional razors, the best electric shavers can be the perfect option as they are designed to minimise irritation while delivering a smooth finish. Equipped with features like adjustable settings and built-in precision trimmers for detailing, this product can help you achieve your desired look. With the Great Indian Festival Sale at Amazon, you can find the perfect product at a discounted price. Soi, don't miss out on this opportunity to elevate your grooming experience while saving big!

ALSO READ: Amazon Sale 2024 for Prime members: Day 1 deals on personal care appliances, Up to 60% off on epilator, trimmer and more

Check out our top picks:

Grab interesting deals on the best trimmers for women

With the ongoing Amazon Great Indian Festival Sale 2024, you can grab the best deals on trimmers for women. This essential form may simplify your personal grooming experience and address common challenges like unwanted hair and precision styling. The traditional hair removal process may often irritate your skin and can be time-consuming, but these trimmers from top brands can offer a quick and painless solution, helping to maintain the body and facial hair. Equipped with adjustable settings and various attachments, trimmers for women may tackle different hair lengths and areas, from eyebrows to legs. This will ensure that you get your desired look without the hassle. The Amazon Sale 2024 offers the ideal chance to invest in a quality trimmer at reasonable discounts.

ALSO READ: Amazon Great Indian Festival Sale 2024 LIVE NOW: Up to 90% off on sanitary pads, menstrual cups and more women products

Check out our top picks:

Explore exclusive deals on the best trimmers for men

Trimmers for men are an essential tool that may help to tackle your everyday grooming challenges. From managing unruly facial hair to achieving a well-groomed look, trimmers may provide a quick and efficient solution without the fuss of traditional shaving. This grooming tool allows for precision styling, enabling you to maintain your beard, moustache or sideburns. Trimmers may eliminate this discomfort, offering a pain-free way to keep the facial hair in check. With adjustable lengths and attachments, the Amazon Great Indian Festival Sale offers interesting deals on the best trimmers for men to upgrade your grooming toolkit. So, don't miss this opportunity to elevate your grooming session while saving big!

ALSO READ: Amazon Diwali Sale 2024 Countdown: Save up to 70% off on sunscreens, conditioners and more at the Great Indian Festival

Check out our top picks:

Amazon Diwali Sale 2024 - Get huge deals on the best body groomers for men

Body groomers for men can ensure comfort and convenience. This grooming tool is specially designed to offer a seamless solution by providing a quick and painless way to trim unwanted hair across various areas, from the chest to the underarms and back. This Great Indian Festival Sale on Amazon gives you the perfect time to invest in a quality body groomer at a fantastic discount. So, elevate your grooming routine and experience a rejuvenating and effortless grooming!

ALSO READ: Best protein powder for men: 10 top picks to boost muscle growth and performance

Check out our top picks:

Amazon Offers 2024 - Exclusive deals on the best facial trimmers for women

Invest in top-rated facial trimmers for women. During the Amazon Sale, you can grab the best deals on this grooming tool and enhance your grooming routine. This specially designed tool for facial hair may ensure that you look best and feel refreshed. These tools are equipped with features like ergonomic design, precision blades and more, which may allow you to conveniently shape your eyebrows, remove fine hair and get flawless skin. So, say goodbye to the pain that comes with threading or waxing as these trimmers can offer you a seamless and hassle-free way to remove unwanted hair at home. So, don't let this opportunity slip away from your hands and discover the best deals!

ALSO READ: Best skin lightening serums: Explore top 10 choices to reduce pigmentation and get radiant skin

Check out our top picks:

Get up to 60% off on the best nose and ear trimmers

Get rid of unwanted nose and ear hairs with the best nose and ear trimmers. This essential grooming tool promises to address common concerns about unwanted hair in sensitive areas. Enhance your overall appearance with the best nose and hair trimmers and save yourself from traditional methods like tweezers or scissors, which pose risk and discomfort. During the Amazon Great Indian Festival Sale, you can grab the best deals on nose and ear trimmers at discounted prices. So, upgrade your grooming routine and maintain a polished look.

ALSO READ: Best vitamin B12 supplements: Top 10 picks to enhance your energy, brain health and overall well-being

Check out our top picks:

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Amazon Great Indian Festival Sale - FAQs

When did the Amazon Great Indian Festival start?
The Amazon Sale started on September 27, 2024. This yearly shopping event offers exclusive deals, discounts and offers on a wide range of products, including personal care appliances. You can enjoy huge savings on top brands like Philipa, Braun and more.
What type of personal care appliances are on sale?
During the Great Indian Festival Sale on Amazon, you can grab the best deals and discounts on a wide range of products, including trimmers, shavers, epilators and more. Top brands like Philips and Braun are available at exclusive discounts.
How can I find the best deals during the sale?
To get the most amazing deals during the Amazon Great Indian Festival Sale, check the new offers consistently and add your favourite items to your cart. Make your purchase as soon as possible.
Can I return products bought during the sale?
Yes, you can return the products purchased during the Amazon Sale 2024. But, make sure to check the return and exchange policy of Amazon before making the final purchase.

At Hindustan Times, we help you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and products. Hindustan Times has an affiliate partnership, so we may get a part of the revenue when you make a purchase. We shall not be liable for any claim under applicable laws, including but not limited to the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, with respect to the products. The products listed in this article are in no particular order of priority.

Source Hindustan Times

'Justice for...': US clarifies stance on Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah killing

2024-09-30T01:30:00.000-07:00

The US characterized the killing of former Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah by Israel as justice for his victims, including Americans and Israelks.

In what marks a significant development in Middle Eastern geopolitics amid Israel's military operation against Hamas and Hezbollah, the United States characterized former Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah's killing in an Israeli strike as "a measure of justice for its many victims."

Hassan Nasrallah was killed in an Israeli airstrike.(AP File)

US President Joe Biden called the elimination of Hassan Nasrallah by Israel "justice", a sentiment supported by Vice President and Democratic Presidential candidate Kamala Harris.

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"Hassan Nasrallah and the terrorist group he led, Hezbollah, were responsible for killing hundreds of Americans over a four-decade reign of terror. His death from an Israeli airstrike is a measure of justice for his many victims, including thousands of Americans, Israelis, and Lebanese civilians," President Biden said in an official statement on the Israeli airstrikes.

Also read: Iran spy helped Israel find, kill Hezbollah chief

Kamala Harris called Nasrallah “a terrorist with American blood on his hands” adding that his leadership destabilised the Middle East and led to the killing of countless innocent.

This comes amid reports that the Biden administration wasn't informed about the attacks in Beirut that dismantled Hezbollah forces that controlled a better part of Lebanon for decades. However, the US has not been deterred from its ironclad support of Israel in the war against Hamas.

Why US is against Hezbollah: A Brief History

Hezbollah, a Shiite militant group backed by Iran, emerged during Lebanon’s civil war, which broke out in 1975. Since its inception, Hezbollah has acted actively against US-promoted forces. This offensive was followed by a series of deadly attacks on the US, marking a pivotal shift in relations between the United States and Hezbollah.

The tensions escalated in April 1983 when Hezbollah planned a targeted bombing at the US Embassy in Beirut killing dozens, including eight CIA employees.

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Another attack of a similar nature killed over 200 and injured 60 military personnel, mostly US Marines in October 1983.

In 1985, a Trans World Airlines flight was hijacked by an alleged Hezbollah member who fatally shot a US Navy diver. The U.S. designated Hezbollah as a terrorist organization in 1997.

Israel used US-made 900 kg bombs in Hassan Nasrallah's killing

The Israeli airstrike that led to Nasrallah's death reportedly utilized American-made ammunitions, specifically 2,000-pound (900-kg) Mark 84 series bombs, commonly referred to as bunker-busters, news agency Reuters reported quoting a US Senator.

According to Mark Kelly, chair of the Senate Armed Services Airland Subcommittee, 2,000-lb (900-kg) Mark 84 series bombs, popularly known as bunker-busters, pounded Hezbollah headquarters last week.

Israel eliminates key Hezbollah commanders

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) intensified its strikes on Lebanon recently, killing at least seven Hezbollah commanders in a week.

A day after Nasrallah died in an Israeli airstrike in Beirut, the Iran-backed militant group also confirmed the killing of Nabil Kaouk, the deputy head of Hezbollah's Central Council. The group also said that another senior commander, Ali Karaki, died in the attack.

Source: Hindustan Times

Another masterstroke by Ratan Tata, Apple iPhone 16 now available for discount and within 10 minutes on....

2024-09-23T06:48:00.000-07:00

This Tata Group-owned quick-commerce platform has launched its electronics category and joined hand with Croma. iPhone 16 and other electronic products such as laptops, PlayStation consoles, Microwave etc will be delivered in 10 minutes.

Another masterstroke by Ratan Tata, Apple iPhone 16 now available for discount and within 10 minutes on

iPhone 16 Delivery In 10 Minutes: Good news for iPhone lovers, as this Tata Group-owned quick-commerce platform is launching its electronics category, promising to deliver electronic items, including Apple’s iPhone 16, in just 10 minutes. The electronics category includes laptops, PlayStation consoles, mobile phones, microwaves, and more, all guaranteed to be delivered in 10 minutes.

Tata’s quick-commerce platform, which is launching its electronics category and delivering iPhone 16 in 10 minutes is none other than BigBasket. For this BigBasket has joined hands with Croma.

Apple iPhone 16 series delivery in 10 minutes Through Bigbasket: Date And Availability

As the service has already started from September 20, people can order electronic items including Apple iPhone 16 from the comfort of their homes.

Bigbasket users in Bengaluru, Delhi-NCR, and Mumbai will be the first to get this service. The Tata Group’s quick-commerce service, however, has kept silent about any special offers or markdowns on the iPhone 16 models.

BigBasket CEO Hari Menon said, “We are thrilled to bring the iPhone 16 to our platform, marking the beginning of our foray into the electronics space. This is just the start—very soon, we will be launching a wide range of top-tier electronics, all available with our lightning-fast delivery service. At Bigbasket, customer convenience and satisfaction remain our top priorities, just as we have consistently delivered with groceries.”

Apple iPhone 16 series delivery in 10 minutes Through Bigbasket: Two Platforms

BigBasket currently operates two mobile apps: the BigBasket app and BBdaily, a subscription service. BigBasket app gives different sections for various delivery options. under one section named ‘BigBasket Supersaver’ people can choose for delivery within 2-3 hours. Under the second section ‘BBnow,’ delivery is possible within 10-20 minutes.

According to a report by Moneycontrol, BigBasket is planning to unify all its services into one easy-to-use app. This strategic move is a part of their wider transition to speed up their delivery process from a 2-3 hour window to a swift 10-20 minutes. This innovative change aims to adapt to customers’ shifting needs and rebrand the company as a dedicated instant-commerce platform.

Apple iPhone 16 series delivery in 10 minutes Through Bigbasket: Price And Key Features

Apple has launched its latest iPhone series in India with a price tag of Rs 79,900 (iPhone 16), while the iPhone 16 Pro starts at Rs 134,900.

Key Features And Highlights

• The iPhone 16 series features four models: iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max.
• New upgrades include a Camera Control button and support for Apple Intelligence across all models.
• The standard iPhone 16 and 16 Plus maintain their previous design but now offer enhanced displays and camera systems.
• Pro models come with larger displays, titanium construction, and a unique ‘dessert titanium’ finish.
• All models are powered by the A18 chip, with Pro models featuring the more powerful A18 Pro chip and advanced camera capabilities.

Source: India.com

From Google’s Sundar Pichai to Accenture’s Julie Sweet, PM Modi meets tech CEOs in US

2024-09-23T06:25:00.000-07:00

From Google’s Sundar Pichai to Accenture’s Julie Sweet, PM Modi meets tech CEOs in US

The CEOs expressed their strong interest in investing and collaborating with India.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with technology industry leaders in New York, US. (Photo: X/@NarendraModi)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a three-day visit to the United States, held a roundtable meeting with technology industry leaders, including Google CEO Sundar Pichai, where the former encouraged them to take advantage of India’s growth story for collaboration and innovation.

The meeting entailed discussions on cutting-edge areas of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and quantum computing; biotechnology and life sciences; computing, IT and communication; and semiconductor technologies, according to a statement released by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), PM Modi wrote: “Had a fruitful roundtable with tech CEOs in New York, discussing aspects relating to technology, innovation and more. Also highlighted the strides made by India in this field. I am glad to see immense optimism towards India.”

Thanking the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), School of Engineering and its Dean for bringing the tech-leaders together, PM Modi highlighted that technology collaboration and efforts such as the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies [ICET] lie at the core of the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership, the release stated.

He also assured the business leaders of the country’s deep commitment to protection of intellectual property and to fostering tech-innovation, MEA stated. “They can co-develop, co-design, and co-produce in India for the world, harnessing the opportunities from India’s economic and technological growth,” he stated.

Further highlighting the economic transformation occurring in India, the PM said his government was committed to making India a global hub of semiconductor manufacturing.

According to the release, he also dwelt on India’s BIO E3 policy to develop India into a biotech powerhouse. On Artificial Intelligence (AI), Modi noted that India’s policy is to promote AI for All, underpinned by its ethical and responsible use.

The CEOs, as per the statement, expressed their strong interest in investing and collaborating with India, emphasising that “investing in startups would be a synergistic opportunity to innovate and develop newer technologies in India.”

Pichai, speaking to news agency ANI, reiterated the outcomes of the meeting and Modi’s vision for technological advancement in India. “He pushed us to continue making in India, designing in India. We are proud to now make our Pixel phones manufactured in India. He is really thinking about how AI can transform India in a way that benefits the people of India. He challenged us to think about applications in healthcare, education, agriculture and he is also thinking about the infrastructure of India – be it data centres, power, energy and investing to make sure that India can transition.”

“And we are proud to be partnering with India. We are robustly investing in AI in India and we look forward to doing more. We have set several programs and partnerships… He has always challenged all of us to do more, more for India. Now, he is asking us to do the same with AI. He has a clear vision, both in terms of the opportunity that AI will create but he wants to make sure ultimately AI is there to benefit the people of India and he has a clear vision that it should all be in the service of the people of India. He is challenging us to do more,” Pichai added.

CEOs from Accenture (Julie Sweet), Adobe (Shantanu Narayen), Google, HP Inc. (Enrique Lores), AMD (Lisa Su), Biogen Inc. (Chris Viehbacher), Bristol Myers Squibb (Chris Boerner), Eli Lilly and Company (David A. Ricks), IBM (Arvind Krishna), LAM Research (Tim Archer), Moderna (Noubar Afeyan), Verizon (Hans Vestberg), Global Foundaries (Thomas Caulfield), NVIDIA (Jensen Huang), and Kyndryl (Martin Schroeter) attended the meet.

'Dangerous Actions': Quad Calls For Rules-Based Order In South China Sea, Launches New Maritime Initiatives

2024-09-23T06:16:00.000-07:00

'Dangerous Actions': Quad Calls For Rules-Based Order In South China Sea, Launches New Maritime Initiatives

The Philippine military said on June 19 the Chinese coast guard rammed and boarded Filipino navy boats in a violent confrontation in the South China Sea this week in which a Filipino sailor lost a thumb. (AFP)

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China Testing Us, Biden Caught Telling Quad Leaders On Hot Mic

'We'll Reform It': Quad Agrees To UNSC Seat Expansion, Mentions Gaza And Ukraine Wars In Joint Statement

In a message to Beijing, the leaders of the United States, Australia, India and Japan said on Saturday they were “seriously concerned” over tensions in the South and East China Seas.

In a joint statement that did not name the Chinese government by name, the leaders condemned “coercive and intimidating maneuvers in the South China Sea.” “We are seriously concerned about the situation in the East and South China Seas,” they said in a Wilmington declaration after meeting in US President Joe Biden’s hometown.

The member countries strongly opposed “any destabilising or unilateral actions that seek to change the status quo by force or coercion.” “We express serious concern over recent dangerous and aggressive actions in the maritime domain. We seek a region where no country dominates and no country is dominated—one where all countries are free from coercion, and can exercise their agency to determine their futures,” they said.

Maritime Initiatives

The Quad member countries announced a slew of new initiatives on maritime security including the first-ever interoperability exercise among their coast guards. The newly announced cooperation between the coast guards will be marked by the first-ever Quad-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission in 2025 to “improve interoperability and advance maritime safety, and continuing with further missions in future years across the Indo-Pacific”.

The leaders of the four nations also announced the launch of a new regional Maritime Initiative for Training in the Indo-Pacific (MAITRI), “to enable our partners in the region to maximize tools provided through IPMDA and other Quad partner initiatives, to monitor and secure their waters, enforce their laws, and deter unlawful behaviour”. India will host the inaugural MAITRI workshop in 2025.

They also launched a Quad Indo-Pacific Logistics Network pilot project, to “pursue shared airlift capacity among our nations and leverage our collective logistics strengths, in order to support civilian response to natural disasters more rapidly and efficiently across the Indo-Pacific region”. Yet another new initiative on maritime security was Quad maritime legal dialogue to “support efforts to uphold the rules-based maritime order in the Indo-Pacific.

‘Working Together’

The grouping also reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with Pacific island countries to address shared challenges and aspirations. In a joint statement, they expressed strong support for regional institutions, particularly the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), and welcomed Tonga’s leadership as the current PIF Chair for 2024-2025.

The leaders highlighted their endorsement of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent and emphasized their intention to prioritize Pacific concerns, including climate action, ocean health, resilient infrastructure, maritime security, and financial integrity. They acknowledged climate change as the greatest threat to the livelihoods and security of Pacific peoples, praising the region’s leadership in global climate initiatives.

The Quad leaders also committed to enhancing cooperation in the Indian Ocean region, supporting the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) as the primary forum for addressing regional issues. They recognised India’s leadership in finalizing the IORA Outlook on the Indo-Pacific and expressed gratitude to Sri Lanka for its ongoing chairmanship, looking ahead to India’s chairmanship in 2025.

The statement underscored the importance of international law, including respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, in maintaining peace and stability in the maritime domain. The leaders voiced serious concern over tensions in the East and South China Seas, condemning militarization and coercive actions in disputed areas. They denounced the dangerous use of coast guard and maritime militia vessels and reiterated that maritime disputes should be resolved peacefully in accordance with international law, as outlined in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Source News 18

Israeli military shuts down Al Jazeera bureau in West Bank raid

2024-09-22T08:22:00.000-07:00

Qatari broadcaster has been ordered to close office for 45 days, months after being banned from operating in Israel

Israeli forces raided the office of Al Jazeera in the occupied West Bank on Sunday and issued a 45-day closure order, the Qatari broadcaster said, with footage showing heavily armed and masked troops entering the premises in Ramallah.

Al Jazeera broadcasts Israeli closure of West Bank bureau live on air

“There is a court ruling for closing down Al Jazeera for 45 days,” an Israeli soldier told Al Jazeera’s West Bank bureau chief, Walid al-Omari, the network reported, citing the conversation which was broadcast live. “I ask you to take all the cameras and leave the office at this moment,” the soldier said.

Al-Omari reported that Israeli troops brought a truck to confiscate documents, devices and office property.

The broadcaster said the soldiers did not provide a reason for the closure order.

There was no immediate acknowledgement of the shutdown by Israeli forces. The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Associated Press.

Al Jazeera denounced the move as it continued broadcasting live from Amman in neighbouring Jordan.

The move is the latest Israeli action against Al Jazeera. Last week, Israel’s government announced it was revoking the press credentials of Al Jazeera journalists in the country, four months after banning the channel from operating inside Israel.

In a statement, the Palestinian Journalists’ Syndicate condemned the Israeli move, saying “this arbitrary military decision is considered a new violation against journalistic and media works, which has been exposing the occupation’s crimes against the Palestinian people.

“We affirm our full solidarity with Al Jazeera and place our headquarters and capabilities at the service of our colleagues working there”.

In Hamas-run Gaza, the government media office condemned the move in a statement released on Telegram, Al Jazeera reported, calling it a clear violation of international law.

“We call on all media outlets and journalists around the world to declare full solidarity with Al Jazeera,” it added.

The Israeli military has repeatedly accused journalists from the Qatari network of being “terrorist agents” in Gaza affiliated with Hamas or its ally, Islamic Jihad.

Al Jazeera denies the Israeli government’s accusations and claims that Israel systematically targets its employees in the Gaza Strip.

Source: The Guardian

Why Israeli attack on Hezbollah’s communication was a tipping point

2024-09-18T23:51:00.000-07:00

It is quite evident that communication networks of Iranian proxies have been infiltrated by Israel and the jihadist terror network is crippled to that extent.
New Delhi: Till the time that pagers and hand-held radios of Iranian terror proxy Hezbollah started exploding, surprise was the element always in favor of the terrorists. After the pin-pointed assassination of Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas, another proxy of Iran, through covert action by Israel, on July 31, the exploding pagers and radio receivers in Lebanon construe a new chapter in counter-terrorism. The Israeli intelligence has virtually redeemed itself after the humongous failure on October 7, 2023 by humiliating Iran and its terror proxies in the Middle-East.
A man's bag explodes in a supermarket in Beirut, Lebanon, September 17, 2024 in this screen grab from a video obtained from social media.(via REUTERS)
That the Israeli intelligence was able to breach the supply chain of Hezbollah and perhaps other adversaries makes a strong case why nations should focus on domestic manufacturing and not be vulnerable to third country imports. While intelligence agencies all over the world would study the Israeli operation against Hezbollah in Lebanon, the exploding electronic devices have made the world more vulnerable with growing demands of totally secure hardware supply chains. Clearly, the future war will not be hand to hand combat but cyberattack designed at crippling the capacities and capabilities of the adversary. It is also quite evident that communication networks of Iranian proxies have been infiltrated by Israel and the jihadist terror network is crippled to that extent.
Given that India has been on cross-sights of Pakistan based Islamist terror groups for the past three decades, the Indian intelligence agencies need to wake up to the possibility of a Lebanon scenario being played out in the country as a large number of Indians use mobile phones that are made by Pakistan’s iron brother China. The Israeli counter-terror action has also a message for Indian armed forces to secure their communications rather than use phone and hand-held devices made in the western countries. Unless the supply chain is secure and monitored 24X7, Indian armed or security forces could also be crippled by the adversaries through proxy attack.
The counter-terror action by Israel against Hezbollah clearly demoralized the cadre of the Shia terrorist group and their handlers as terrorists will now think 50 times before even touching a communication device as it could explode. The CT action by Israel was surgical, unlike the Indian intelligence agencies who were not only tipped off by the Americans before the 26/11 attack but also the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) terrorists were using SIMs that were both planted and monitored by Indian agencies.
While Iran is expected to retaliate to the Israeli escalation in Lebanon and Tehran, both sides cannot afford an all-out war and hence the Ayatollahs in Persia may also covertly respond to the latest aggravation by Tel Aviv. The Iranian reaction would be beside usual missile attacks and bombardment by its proxies like Hamas, Houthis, Kaitab Hezbollah and Hezbollah itself from Lebanon.
The exploding pager and hand held devices will also be an urgent subject for aviation security as there is a possibility of terrorists triggering off attacks on board the aircraft using VOIP communications. It is quite evident that the Israeli CT action will make life more difficult for a normal air traveler, who was already facing harassment since the 9/11 attacks.
Source Hindustan Times

Apple shares slip as shorter iPhone 16 shipping times signal soft demand

2024-09-17T11:17:00.000-07:00

Apple Intelligence is set to arrive in the U.S. version of the English language in beta next month, and for other versions as late as next year, potentially keeping some customers on the fence about upgrading to the 16 series

FILE PHOTO: Shares of Apple fell after analysts said delivery times for the new iPhone 16 Pro models indicated weaker-than-expected demand. | Photo Credit: Reuters

Shares of Apple fell nearly 3% on Monday after some analysts said delivery times for the new iPhone 16 Pro models indicated weaker-than-expected demand, possibly due to the delayed rollout of key artificial intelligence features.

Apple last week unveiled its long-awaited iPhone 16 series designed around its AI software, Apple Intelligence.

Early pre-order data from BofA Global Research revealed shorter global shipping times for the iPhone 16 Pro models compared with last year's 15 Pro models, as of Monday, three days after Apple started taking pre-orders.

Ship time on average for the iPhone 16 Pro currently stood at 14 days, lower than 24 days for the iPhone 15 Pro last year, the data showed, while the 19-day ship time for the iPhone 16 Pro Max compares with 32 days last year.

"The key factor is the lower-than-expected demand for the iPhone 16 Pro series ... the major selling point, Apple Intelligence, is not available at launch," Ming-Chi Kuo, a Taiwan-based analyst at TF International Securities, said in a blog post.

What Apple Intelligence can and can’t do yet on iPhone 16 series

Apple Intelligence is set to arrive in the U.S. version of the English language in beta next month, and for other versions as late as next year, potentially keeping some customers on the fence about upgrading to the 16 series.

First-weekend pre-order sales for the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max models were down 27% and 16%, respectively, according to Kuo.

"The U.S. is much weaker than last year, unless Apple massively increased supply allocation," Jefferies analysts said.

To be sure, some analysts also said that improving supply of the Pro models could have led to shorter shipping times this time around, after supply issues with a camera lens affected shipments for the iPhone 15 Pro Max last year.

"We are not concerned if pre-orders don't show meaningful growth," D.A. Davidson analyst Gil Luria said.

"The (AI) features will be rolling out gradually ... which means the upgrade cycle will likely materialize over the next 12-18 months."

Source The Hindu

India edge past China to win Asian Champions Trophy

2024-09-17T10:43:00.000-07:00

A disciplined performance by the hosts saw India face their toughest challenge before Jugraj scored the winner

The victorious Indian team after beating hosts China 1-0 in the ACT final. (HOCKEY INDIA)

New Delhi: For the last couple of years, the Indian men’s hockey team has barely had any competition in Asia.

The only team to medal in the last two Olympics, Harmanpreet Singh and Co breezed past every opposition at the 2023 Asian Champions Trophy. A month later, the world No.5 outfit demolished every team at the Hangzhou Asian Games with huge margins to race away with the gold.

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Despite not being in full strength in the Chinese city of Hulunbuir, India still managed to defend their Asian Champions Trophy crown on Tuesday by winning the continental title for the fifth time in eight editions. Only this time, it wasn’t without a fight.

The lowest ranked outfit at No.23 in the six-team competition, China forced India to work hard and go 51 minutes without scoring a goal – something that hadn’t happened before the final – until defender Jugraj Singh (51st) finally converted in the fourth quarter to hand India a 1-0 win.

Though they didn’t start the tournament well, losing three round-robin games including a 0-3 defeat to India in the opener, the hosts grew as the event progressed – beating Malaysia, Japan and Pakistan to qualify for only their second-ever final in international hockey after the 2006 Asian Games summit clash which they lost to South Korea.

Buoyed by a raucous home crowd at the packed Moqi Training Base, an extremely exuberant Chinese outfit attacked and defended as a unit in a contest between the highest and lowest ranked teams in the tournament.

Though India maintained the lion’s share of possession – 84% at half-time – they were not able to break through a very resolute Chinese defence, who man-marked all Indian forwards in the striking circle and immediately adopted a zonal approach the moment they stepped out of the D.

Wang Weihao was brilliant in the goal, not just thwarting four of Harmanpreet’s drag-flicks, but also halting multiple attempts by the Indian forward line led by Abhishek and Sukhjeet Singh.

Their midfield and strikers grew in confidence as the match progressed, realising that they had the ability to not just defend well but also the potential to press the Indian defence and mount attacks which yielded them five penalty corners (PC), one more than India.

However, the lack of quality showed in short corners. From poor injections to powerless flicks, the PC chances were all too easy for goalkeepers Krishan Bahadur Pathak and Suraj Karkera to defend against.

India maintained a majority of the possession throughout the match, but the lack of goals led to chief coach Craig Fulton showing his frustration on the sidelines. But Harmanpreet and his team believed that their chance would come.

And it did – from the unlikeliest of sources too. Two defenders and drag-flickers assisted and scored not via a PC but a beautifully constructed field goal.

With only nine minutes left on the clock, Player of the Tournament Harmanpreet decided to try something unconventional. The India skipper, who normally plays as a centre or right back, switched to the left flank during a long corner, to single-handedly bring in the ball inside the striking circle while dodging past three Chinese defenders before passing the ball to Jugraj, who at goalmouth just had to push the ball past Weihao.

Vociferous throughout the match, the crowd started going quiet as the match drew to a close. China coach Yu Seung-jin decided to take off their goalkeeper for an extra field player with less than five minutes left on the clock.

China did manage a couple of circle entries in the final few minutes but the Indian defence was experienced enough to maintain their lead to begin their new Olympic cycle with a title win.

“It was a tough one for us, a good one in the end. We had to work hard. It was a really good fight. Seven games and we played some good hockey, but we just couldn’t score tonight but we got the result in the end,” said India chief coach Craig Fulton.

“It has been a rollercoaster, Paris and what happened there and just eight days with the family. To come here with a young group and some new players, the boys were tired, but we found a way and that’s always the sign of a good team.”

Hockey India announced a cash prize of ₹3 lakh for each player and ₹1.5 lakh for each support staff member.

Earlier, Pakistan beat South Korea 5-2 to win the third-place playoff.

Harmanpreet, Sreejesh nominated

Defender Harmanpreet and goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, who retired after the Paris Olympics, are the only two Indians to be nominated for the FIH Hockey Stars Awards 2024.

While the India skipper has been nominated for the men’s Player of the Year award along with four others, Sreejesh has made the cut for the men’s Goalkeeper of the Year award.

Source Hindustan Times

Tumbbad's re-release sets new box office records, earns Rs 7.34 Crore in just 3 Days

2024-09-17T00:38:00.000-07:00

In an extraordinary development, the re-release of Tumbbad has reached a remarkable box office milestone, highlighting the film's lasting impact and significant success. First released in 2018, Tumbbad earned Rs 7.34 crore in its initial week.

Impressively, this amount was matched within just three days of the film's recent re-release, reflecting its enduring charm and the increasing excitement surrounding it.

In an extraordinary development, the re-release of Tumbbad has reached a remarkable box office milestone, highlighting the film's lasting impact and significant success. First released in 2018, Tumbbad earned Rs 7.34 crore in its initial week.

Impressively, this amount was matched within just three days of its recent re-release, reflecting the film's enduring charm and the increasing excitement around it.

After an impressive Rs 1.65 crore on Day 1 and a remarkable Rs 2.65 crore on Day 2, Tumbbad has sustained its stellar performance with a strong showing on Day 3. The film’s total earnings have now reached Rs 7.34 crore, matching its original week-long total in just three days. This outstanding success underscores the film's growing popularity and its continued ability to captivate audiences long after its initial release.

The re-release of Tumbbad has established new standards for cinematic re-releases in India. With no streaming options available, the film’s return to theaters has generated considerable excitement and strong support. This resurgence in appreciation underscores the importance of experiencing classic films on the big screen, where their complete artistic and emotional resonance can be fully enjoyed.

The strategy behind Tumbbad's re-release has played a crucial role in its success. By concentrating exclusively on theatrical distribution through Eros International’s network, the film has managed to captivate a global audience, whether revisiting the film or experiencing it anew.

Also Read: Sohum Shah announces Tumbbad 2 after re-release of original in theatres: "Pralay Aayega."

Directed by Rahi Anil Barve and creatively overseen by Anand Gandhi, Tumbbad has enchanted audiences with its distinctive horror-fantasy storyline and impressive visual craftsmanship. The film’s engaging atmosphere and inventive approach have garnered critical praise and a loyal following. Its re-release, facilitated by Eros International and Aanand L Rai, has rekindled viewers' interest and enthusiasm, showcasing this cinematic masterpiece's enduring appeal.

The film’s impressive box office performance over the weekend, especially on Day 3, reinforces its position as a modern classic and highlights the impact of innovative and engaging filmmaking.

Source: moneycontrol

'All good here': Last messages revealed from Titan submersible before implosion: Coast Guard

2024-09-16T23:06:00.000-07:00

'All good here': Last messages revealed from Titan submersible before implosion

The Coast Guard is holding a two-week hearing on the deadly implosion.

One of the last messages sent from the doomed Titan submersible during its June 2023 voyage to the Titanic wreckage was "all good here," according to a presentation from a U.S. Coast Guard hearing on the deadly implosion.

The Marine Board of Investigation for the U.S. Coast Guard's two-week hearing into the incident began on Monday, 15 months after the OceanGate vessel catastrophically imploded during its deep-sea voyage, killing all five people aboard.

An animation created by the Coast Guard during the Monday hearing showed the text communications between the Titan and the surface vessel, Polar Prince, as the submersible descended toward the ocean floor on June 18, 2023. The short text messages were the only means of communication between the Titan crew and the personnel on the Polar Prince as the vessel attempted to reach the Titanic, which sits 3,800 meters below sea level.

This undated image provided by OceanGate Expeditions in June 2021 shows the company's Titan submersible.
Source: OceanGate Expeditions via AP, FILE

At approximately 2,274 meters, the Titan sent the message, "All good here," according to the animation.

The last communication from the submersible was sent at approximately 3,341 meters: "Dropped two wts," meaning drop weights, according to the Coast Guard.

All communications and tracking from the submersible to Polar Prince were lost at 3,346 meters, according to the Coast Guard.

Debris from the Titan was found on the ocean floor four days later. All five crew members -- including OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush -- were determined to have died in a catastrophic implosion.

The Coast Guard released a new image during the hearing Monday that shows Titan debris, including the tail cone, at the bottom of the ocean.

Remotely operated vehicle image of the Titan submersible tail cone on the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean presented by the U.S. Coast Guard during a marine board formal hearing inside the Charleston County Council Chambers, Sept. 16, 2024, in North Charleston, S.C.

Source: Pelagic Research Services/U.S. Coast Guard

Tym Catterson, a former contractor for OceanGate, testified during Monday's hearing that there were "no red flags" on the day of the incident. He said he believes the intention of shedding the two 35-pound weights was to slow the vessel down as it approached the ocean floor. He thought the weight was dropped a little early than is typical -- not due to any emergency but to ensure a smooth landing, he said.

"Considering who was in the cab with Stockton at that particular time -- there are two billionaires in there with him -- I would absolutely guarantee that he's trying to make sure that this just goes as absolutely perfect and spot-on as he can," Catterson said.

He said when the tracking and communications were lost, the initial thought was that the transponder failed. When rescuers heard banging noises during their search for the vessel, he said they believed the vessel was drifting.

"This was all theories that were just flying around between people that were totally without sleep and very anxious," he said. "It's the worst thing that could be happening."

2 witnesses say they wouldn't go in the Titan

Some two dozen witnesses are scheduled to testify during the two-week hearing.

The hearing's first witness -- Tony Nissen, OceanGate's former engineering director -- testified that he was kept in the dark and didn't know that OceanGate's goal when he was initially hired was to go to the Titanic.

Asked whether he felt comfortable going down to the Titanic in the submersible, Nissen responded that Rush had asked him to be the pilot to run the Titanic missions, and he turned him down.

"I told him, I'm not getting in it," Nissen said. "He asked me why, and I said, 'Because the operations crew, I don't trust them.'"

"He said, 'Well, what if I'm mission director?'" Nissen continued. "I said, 'You still have the same operations crew.' But I didn't trust Stockton either. Take a look at where we started and when I was hired, nothing that I got was the truth."

Catterson also testified that he would not have felt comfortable going to the depths of the Titanic wreckage in the Titan, saying he had questions about the integrity of its carbon fiber and titanium construction.

"I don't believe that the composites are the correct material for a pressure vessel that's experiencing external compression," he said. "I had my doubts."

When asked if he ever voiced his concerns to OceanGate employees, he testified that he told Rush, Nissen and David Lochridge, the former OceanGate operations director -- "pretty much anybody that would listen."

Catterson said he had raised the issue about the integrity of the carbon fiber hull with Rush "no less than half a dozen" times. He said he thought the sub was "underbuilt" and that Rush responded to his concerns by saying, "I have several engineers working on this and they say otherwise."

The company's former finance director, Bonnie Carl, a former contractor for OceanGate, testified Monday that she was aware of a conversation between Lochridge and Renata Rojas, a mission specialist, when Lochridge told Rojas not to go on the Titan, warning that it was "unsafe."

Titan not classified

It is common for submersibles to get classification, but both Catterson and Nissen testified that the Titan had not been classified. Catterson talked about recommending classification for it to Rush.

“The reason for the classification is basically that it's proof of due diligence. It's also primarily one of the ways that you can get insurance for the submersibles. That's one of the very big things," he said. "I had explained this to [Rush], and he, well, I guess that wasn't as big of a worry for him as it would be for most people. I don't know, I said my piece.”

According to a Coast Guard presentation during Monday's hearing, the Titan was tested to 1.09 times its operating pressure -- the industry standard is 1.25 times.

Issues with sub

The Coast Guard and witnesses detailed issues and concerns with the sub.

The vessel had 70 equipment issues in 2021 that needed correcting, and 48 more in 2022, according to the Coast Guard.

The Titan partially sank four weeks before the incident following a night of high seas and fog, according to the Coast Guard. Days before the implosion, passengers slammed against the vessel during resurfacing, the Coast Guard said.

Tony Nissen, left, head engineer for OceanGate, talks with the Coast Guard's lead counsel Lars Okmark during a recess in a Coast Guard investigatory hearing on the causes of the implosion of an experimental submersible headed for the wreck of the Titanic, Sept. 16, 2024, in North Charleston, S.C.

Mic Smith/AP

Nissen testified that he believes the Titan was struck by lightning in April 2018.

"That is a difficult thing to prove, except I had to drag a lot of my engineering team down there to replace all the electronics in it. And I could find all the lightning traces. So it took high energy for sure," he said.

He testified that he wouldn't sign off on a dive to the Titanic in July 2019 due to a crack in the hull, and said he was subsequently fired.

Carl said she was concerned about some of the employees working on OceanGate submersibles.

"There were some young engineers -- and by young, I mean late teens, early 20s -- without any experience, we were aware of, wrenching on the sub, and without supervision right there on them," she said. "And that made me nervous."

Hearing to last 2 weeks

The hearing is scheduled to run through Sept. 27. Former OceanGate employees scheduled to testify later in the hearing include Lochridge; co-founder Guillermo Sohnlein; and Steven Ross, former scientific director, according to a schedule released by the Coast Guard.

The main purpose of the hearing is to uncover the facts related to the implosion and to make recommendations, according to Jason Neubauer, chair of the Marine Board of Investigation.

"The Marine Board's investigation will determine as closely as possible the factors that contributed to the incident, so that proper recommendations for the prevention of similar casualties may be made," Neubauer said at the start of Monday's hearing.

The investigation will also examine whether there is any evidence of misconduct or criminal acts in connection with the incident, he said.

The National Transportation Safety Board is also investigating the implosion and will make its own determination as to the probable cause, according to Marcel Muise, an investigator with the agency's Office of Marine Safety.

Attorneys with the firm Debevoise & Plimpton, which represents OceanGate, are also attending the hearing.

"There are no words to ease the loss endured by the families impacted by this tragic incident, but we hope that this hearing will help shed light on the cause of the tragedy and prevent anything like this from happening again," Jane Shvets with Debevoise & Plimpton said during opening remarks.

In addition to Rush, those killed in the implosion included French explorer Paul Henri Nargeolet, British businessman Hamish Harding, Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son, Suleman.

The submersible company suspended all exploration and commercial operations after the deadly implosion.

Source: abcnews

Apple iOS 18 update is live: These are the most important new iPhone security features to protect your private life

2024-09-16T11:21:00.000-07:00

Apple released the latest version of its iPhone operating system, iOS 18, on Monday. It includes several new security and privacy features.

Key Points

Apple’s new iOS 18 operating system for the iPhone was released Monday.

While most of the focus has been on the new iPhone 16 and Apple Intelligence AI features, some tech experts say the new hardware is incremental at best, while the AI is first going into a beta test.

The new software update does include several key security and privacy features which all iPhone users can adopt now.

Attendees try the new iPhone 16 as Apple holds an event at the Steve Jobs Theater on its campus in Cupertino, California, U.S. September 9, 2024.
Manuel Orbegozo | Reuters

Apple released the latest version of its iPhone operating system, iOS 18, on Monday, including several new security and privacy features. The rollout comes a week after Apple unveiled new versions of the iPhone, AirPods and Apple Watch. Preorders for the new iPhones began Friday and will be widely available on Sept. 20.

Some consumer tech experts say the new iPhone hardware is best judged as incremental, and early data suggests demand could be sluggish, so neither the phone nor new artificial intelligence features will necessarily result in an upgrade supercycle. But for iPhone users, it’s worth familiarizing yourself with the new operating system’s Password Manager app and additional choices on how and where your data is accessed. That includes controls related to your personal and business contacts, and new ways to protect sensitive apps and associated information on devices that may be shared.

Privacy professionals say updates for iOS 18, the public beta version of which has been available since July, should make it easier for consumers to understand and use available privacy protections.

“Apple continues to try to build privacy for its users, and it does typically try to make them easy for people to understand,” said Jodi Daniels, chief executive and privacy consultant at Red Clover Advisors.

Here’s a rundown of some new security and privacy features and how to access them.

A new Passwords app to improve on iCloud keychain

Apple has created a separate app for storing user passwords. Previously, passwords could be stored in iCloud Keychain, the password management system integrated into Apple devices, but a separate app makes access easier, privacy professionals said.

The new app has other features to promote good privacy practices. For instance, users are alerted if passwords or account credentials may have been part of data breaches, which can be helpful for fraud protection purposes. In addition, users who have a weak password or one that’s been used before will be alerted so they can update that credential.

“The broader goal is to have more people using unique passwords and having more general online security,” said Thorin Klosowski, security and privacy activist at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a nonprofit that focuses on privacy matters.

As in the past, Apple can’t access these passwords, but users can on iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Vision Pro and on Windows with the iCloud for Windows app. Users of the AutoFill function will have their passwords automatically added to the Passwords app.

Users will also have quick access to categories of credentials including verification codes, passkeys and Wi-Fi passwords. Passwords can also be categorized under shared groups such as work or family.

A way to lock and hide apps

With limited exceptions, apps on the phone can be either locked, or, for additional privacy, hidden if the user chooses. Basic functional apps can’t be hidden, but generally speaking, if it’s on the App Store it can be hidden, an Apple spokesperson said.

This is a useful tool because people sometimes hand their phones to friends to show them photos, messages or emails, for example, or parents may offer their phones temporarily to children to play a game. In all these cases, users may not want others to have unfettered access to their phone.

When an app is in locked or hidden mode, content like messages or emails inside the app aren’t searchable, and notifications don’t pop up. Apps can be locked and unlocked with Face ID, Touch ID, if available, or the device passcode.

Apple has also taken steps to help ensure young children don’t use these features to thwart parental observation. Accountholders under age 13 can’t lock or hide an app, according to the Apple spokesperson. Users between the ages of 13 and 18 can use these functions, but parents can still see what apps were downloaded and how much they are used in Screen Time. Apple warns children in the older age group when they lock or hide an app that parents retain the ability to see that information.

More control over contact-sharing

In iOS 18, consumers have the option to determine more precisely how they want their contacts shared with apps. They can choose to share all, none or specific contacts. So, if for example, a person uses an app solely for work, he might decide to share only work-related contacts with the app. Access can be updated as desired.

When they update to iOS 18, users can change their settings for apps they already use. “In practice, it will provide a little bit of a speed bump for people to think whether they really need an app to have access to their contacts,” Klosowski said.

A better view of data apps are accessing

Apple users can now see, at a glance, how many apps have access to data like location services, tracking, calendars, files and folders, contacts and health information. When they tap on a particular category, users see a list of which apps have what level of access, such as limited or full.

AI privacy protections

Separately, Apple will soon be launching Apple Intelligence, an artificial intelligence platform developed by Apple. Its features include on-device processing so it’s aware of your personal data, but doesn’t require Apple to collect or store it, and a new complex system designed to draw on larger server-based models to handle more complex requests, while still protecting user privacy.

These privacy protections can be important to users who want to have access to AI, but are concerned about privacy ramifications, including having their private data used to train models, which is a concern, even for many AI enthusiasts.

“Having it local to the device reduces that risk,” Daniels said.

Source: CNBC

Apple’s latest update for the iPhone should finally improve messaging with Android users.

2024-09-16T10:32:00.000-07:00

iOS 18 is here with RCS and homepage customization features.

Apple is rolling out iOS 18 and iPadOS 18, which will introduce a bunch of new features to the iPhone and iPad. One of the biggest changes with today’s launch is the addition of RCS messaging, which should help improve communication with Android users.

First announced in June, RCS messaging will finally allow iPhone and Android users to share high-res photos and videos, see typing indicators, and use read receipts. (Messages from Android users will still appear in green bubbles, though.)

Some other messaging upgrades in iOS 18 include new text effects and formatting options in iMessage and the ability to schedule messages to send later. iPhone users will also be able to send messages via satellite.

Additionally, iOS 18 includes new homepage customization options to rearrange, resize, and change the colors of app icons and widgets. There’s a big design overhaul coming to the Photos app, too, along with a revamped iPhone Control Center and the launch of Apple’s new password management app.

iOS 18 also adds the ability to control Matter devices locally from the Home app without a home hub (you’ll need an iPhone 15 Pro or newer for Thread devices). The updated Home app will let you give guests access to locks, garage doors, and alarm systems. There’s a new way to unlock doors without taking out your phone as well, but there are no smart locks that support hands-free unlocking yet.

As for what’s new with iPadOS 18, the update will finally bring a calculator app to the iPad after over a decade without one. You can download the update to your iPhone or iPad by heading to Settings, selecting General > Software Update, and then following the steps to install iOS 18.

If you’ve been wanting to try out the new AI features coming to Apple’s devices, you’re going to have to wait for iOS 18.1. Apple is rolling out new tools to help you rewrite and summarize text, generate images with Image Playground, and interact with a more conversational Siri as part of the iOS 18.1 public beta in October.

Source: The Verge

41-Year-Old Billionaire Who Completed Spacewalk Once Dropped Out Of High School

2024-09-15T21:29:00.000-07:00

Mr Isaacman conducted the first commercial "spacewalk" hundreds of miles above the surface of the Earth

Jared Isaacman, a former high school dropout living in his parents' basement in New Jersey, has achieved remarkable success as a tech billionaire and space tourist. His journey from humble beginnings to becoming a pioneer in space exploration is nothing short of extraordinary.

On Thursday, Mr. Isaacman and SpaceX engineer Sarah Gillis briefly ventured into the vacuum of space to test the company's new spacesuits during the five-day Polaris Dawn mission. This marked the first time that nonprofessional astronauts from a private company performed a spacewalk.

"I decided I was going to go to space when I was 5 [years old]. I was pretty calculated about it at that point, it just took me a little while to get it into motion," Isaacman told CNBC Make It in 2021.

Source: Instagram

Isaacman's entrepreneurial spirit was evident from a young age. At 16, he dropped out of high school to found Shift4 Payments, a payment processing company. Despite facing initial challenges, his company quickly gained traction and became a leader in the industry.

To start his entrepreneurial journey, he used a $10,000 check from his grandfather as seed money and set up shop in his childhood home's basement. "$10,000, you know, you needed to build a couple of computers," Isaacman said. "That wasn't expensive. And, you needed some phones, and that was enough to get you going."

He shared with the media outlet that his first employees included his friend Brendan Lauber, who was Shift4's chief technology officer until last year, and Isaacman's dad, a salesman who had previously worked for a home security company.

His company has a market value of $7.4 billion and now has 2,000 employees across the country.

"There's just no way, at that age, you could ever imagine" the company becoming worth billions of dollars, said Isaacman. "One of the best times at a startup is when you've got the eight people in the basement eating Chinese food, and everybody kind of shares knowledge. You share in your successes and failures together, and you learn together."

Shift4's success propelled Isaacman to billionaire status, and he has since made significant contributions to space exploration. He funded and led the first civilian mission to space aboard SpaceX's Dragon capsule, setting a record for the longest civilian spaceflight.

In 2009, Isaacman set a world record by flying a Cessna Citation CJ2 around the world in just under 62 hours- nearly 20 hours faster than the previous record holder. Three years later, he founded Draken International, a company that trains student pilots for the U.S. Air Force. In 2020, he sold the company to the investment firm Blackstone Group for "a nine-figure sum," as reported by Forbes.

Isaacman's passion for space exploration extends beyond his own personal achievements. "As far as I'm concerned, I'm super lucky in life," Isaacman told Bloomberg, ahead of the spacewalk. "You know - teenage basement startup, just trying to buy pizza on the weekend, and it's turned into quite the empire."

Ukraine missile request under discussion

2024-09-15T06:48:00.000-07:00

The foreign secretary has insisted no single weapon can win a war

The UK was still discussing with allies whether to allow Ukraine to fire long-range missiles into Russia.

David Lammy told the BBC it was important that countries supporting Ukraine had "a shared strategy to win." Ukraine already has supplies of long-range missiles from the UK, the United States and France but at the moment it is only allowed to fire them at targets within its own borders.
President Zelensky has been pleading for months for these restrictions to be lifted so Ukraine can use them against targets inside Russia.

There have been strong indications that the US and UK are poised to change their position. However, no confirmation came after talks between Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and US President Joe Biden in Washington on Wednesday.

Pressed over whether the delay in lifting restrictions on the use of long-range missiles was emboldening Russian President Vladimir Putin, Mr Lammy told the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme: "No war is won with any one weapon." He refused to confirm whether the UK and its allies were planning to allow missiles to be used against targets in Russia. But he added: "This is under careful discussion with the Ukrainians, as we assess what they need as they head into the winter."

Lammy said the UK and other allies would be meeting President Zelensky at the United Nations General Assembly in New York in less than 12 days' times and suggested the issue would be discussed then.
Gen Sir John McColl, former deputy supreme allied commander Europe of Nato, said he believed Ukraine would eventually be allowed to use long-range missiles against targets in Russia.
But he told the programme Ukraine’s allies needed to be "firm" and "not signal this kind of dither and dilemma". "At the end of the weekend President Putin will be encouraged and emboldened and President Zelensky will be disappointed," he said.

However, Sir John said the missiles would have only "a limited effect" on the war as a whole.
A number of former Conservative defence secretaries, including Ben Wallace, have urged the PM to lift restrictions. On Saturday, he told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme the delays and wrangling over the decision wereonly benefitting President Putin.

Earlier this week President Putin warned Western nations against allowing Ukraine to fire long-range missiles into Russia, saying this would represent "direct participation" by Nato in the war. Ukraine’s allies have been reluctant to do anything which could drag them into direct conflict with Moscow.

Lammy accused the Russian president of "throwing dust up into the air" by making such threats. "There’s a lot of bluster – that’s his modus operandi," he said. "We cannot be blown off course by an imperialist fascist."

Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Ukrainian cities and front lines have been under regular bombardment. Many of these missiles are launched by aircraft deep inside Russia and Kyiv says not being allowed to hit the bases from which these attacks are launched hinders its ability to defend itself.

On Sunday, President Zelensky posted a fresh plea on social media, writing: "This week, the Russians have launched around 30 missiles of various types, more than 800 guided aerial bombs, and nearly 300 strike drones against Ukraine.

"Ukraine needs strong support from our partners to defend lives against Russian terror - air defence, long-range capabilities, support for our warriors. Everything that will help force Russia to end this war."

W.H.O. Authorizes Mpox Vaccine, Clearing Way for Use in Africa

2024-09-14T01:59:00.000-07:00

The World Health Organization has given its authorization to a first vaccine to protect against mpox, a decision announced in such haste on Friday that it caught even the head of the company that makes the vaccine by surprise.

The vaccine, made by the Danish company Bavarian Nordic, has been approved by the regulatory authorities in Europe as well as the United States and other high-income countries since a global mpox outbreak in 2022. But low- and middle-income countries rely on the W.H.O., through a process called prequalification, to determine which drugs, vaccines and health technologies are safe and efficient uses of limited health funding, and the organization had declined to act until now.

The W.H.O. had come under increasing criticism for declaring a global public health emergency for mpox last month without giving a vaccine that prequalification stamp of approval, or a more provisional form of approval called emergency use authorization. Bavarian Nordic first submitted its safety and effectiveness data on the vaccine, called Jynneos, to the W.H.O. in 2023. The W.H.O. had defended its slow pace of review, saying that it needed to subject the vaccine to careful study because it, and two others that have been used to protect against mpox, were originally designed as smallpox immunizations, and because delivering it in low-resource settings such as Central Africa would involve factors different from those relating to its use in high-income countries.

But on Friday morning, the W.H.O. suddenly said it was authorizing the shot.

“This first prequalification of a vaccine against mpox is an important step in our fight against the disease, both in the context of the current outbreaks in Africa, and in future,” Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the W.H.O. director general, said in a statement.

Paul Chaplin, Bavarian Nordic’s chief executive, said he was among the many who had been caught off guard.

“We’ve got there eventually — I don’t know quite how,” he said. “But it’s good news. It’s going to make the regulatory pathway much easier.”

Mpox was first identified more than 50 years ago in the Democratic Republic of Congo and has been endemic there ever since. While the global spread that started in 2022 waned in 2023, people in Congo have continued to become infected. A new version of the virus, one that is sexually transmissible, was identified there in 2023, and there have been more than 21,000 suspected mpox cases, and 700 deaths, this year.

However, no vaccines have yet been publicly administered in Congo.

About 245,000 donated shots, from the European Union, the United States and Bavarian Nordic, began to arrive in the capital, Kinshasa, last week. The Congolese government has said it hoped to begin to distribute them by Oct. 2.

The Jynneos prequalification decision vaulted over a planned meeting next week of a W.H.O. committee that is set to evaluate the vaccine for emergency use.

Prashant Yadav, an expert on health technology supply chains and a professor of technology and operations management at the French business school INSEAD, said the W.H.O. decision to authorize the vaccine now was both surprising and admirable.

“It’s not routine for them to do such an expedited approval, and I commend them for doing this,” he said.

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention declared its own public health emergency for mpox, before the W.H.O. did so, and African health ministers have expressed frustration at the pace of response from the global organization.

A shipment of mpox vaccines arriving at N’Djili International Airport in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, on Sept. 5.Credit...Justin Makangara/Reuters

In its announcement on Friday, the W.H.O. said that it was authorizing the vaccine for adults but that it could be used at the discretion of health care providers for children and adolescents under age 18. More than half of the mpox cases in Congo this year have been in children, according to UNICEF. The W.H.O.’s expert committee on vaccination said in August that the benefits of using the vaccine for children at high risk of exposure outweighed the risk.

In late August, the W.H.O. instructed Gavi, an international organization that funds vaccines for low-income countries, and UNICEF, which procures the shots, to issue a tender for mpox vaccines even before the emergency use license had been considered by its experts.

Bavarian Nordic submitted a bid, Mr. Chaplin said, and could supply two million doses of the vaccine this year and an additional 11 million in 2025. The Africa C.D.C. says that as many as 10 million doses of the vaccine could be required to respond to an outbreak that now involves more than a dozen African countries, including Burundi and Uganda, which have never before reported mpox.

The vaccine must be given in two shots for strongest protection, although the W.H.O. said use of a single shot should be considered in emergency situations where supply is constrained. Bavarian Nordic charged about $115 per shot to higher-income countries in 2022; Mr. Chaplin, the chief executive, said the price charged to Gavi would depend on the volumes ordered.

Gavi has a dedicated “first response fund” of money meant for purchasing vaccines in emergencies such as this one and will face pressure to make an order large enough that African countries will have sufficient supply of the vaccine.

Getting supplies to the countries is only one challenge. These vaccines require complex logistics of transport, temperature control, staff training and community education, and the production of the shots is only the first piece of trying to protect against the virus.

“While we remain in a supply-constrained environment, an important focus now is to translate deliveries of vaccines into countries into vaccinations,” said Derrick Sim, Gavi’s director of vaccine markets and health security. “One of the lessons from the Covid-19 pandemic is that vaccine supply needs to be matched with the timing of countries’ vaccination programs.”

Indemnity will be a separate challenge. Bavarian Nordic has liability insurance for the use of the vaccine in adults, but that insurance will not cover off-label pediatric use.

“Use in children would need to be included in the emergency use authorization for the individual countries,” Mr. Chaplin said. “Or the organization using the product off label would have to take the responsibility.”

Stephanie Nolen is a global health reporter for The Times.

Source: NY Times

A2Z Market News Wire

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